What is the importance of names in the novel, The Trees?

Names carry great symbolic significance in their representation of those killed in lynchings and hate crimes. Damon determines to write down the names of all of the lynching victims Mama Z has recorded in her files: “When I write the names they become real again. It’s almost like they get a few more seconds here” (188). He then decides that he will erase every name to “set them free” (188), a symbolic action that is implied to be instrumental in regenerating victims to seek revenge on their attackers.